Gov. Gianforte, DLI Launch Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson today announced the launch of Montana’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program.
“Montana is leading the way in developing innovative workforce solutions,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Through our 406 JOBS initiative, we are tearing down barriers to education and workforce training in new ways by offering new pathways to employment to strengthen our schools, support our communities, and invest in the future of our state.”
Through a $1 million grant awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) program, Western Governors University (WGU) is partnering with 26 Montana schooldistricts to prepare 78 new teacher apprentices in six high-need certification areas, supporting a stronger, more sustainable teacher workforce across Montana, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Through the program, apprentices will be paid for the full 4-year duration of their classroom experience and will receive ongoing, hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers while completing their academic coursework through accredited higher education partners. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices will become licensed K-12 educators in Montana.
“We are incredibly proud to deepen our partnership with one of our founding states through the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program,” said Dr. Jeff Borden, Executive Dean and Senior Vice President of the WGU School of Education. “Thanks to this grant, we are working to eliminate financial hurdles for our candidates and ensuring that Montana’s rural and frontier classrooms will be led by highly qualified, homegrown educators. We thank the Governor for his visionary leadership in workforce development and are proud to work alongside state leaders and districts to help strengthen opportunities for educators and schools across Montana.”
A new analysis of the Education and Child Care sector, released today by DLI as a part of the governor’s 406 JOBS initiative, highlights the growing workforce demand across the education sector and the need for expanded training and workforce pathways statewide. According to the report, Montana is projected to see approximately 3,960 education job openings each year over the next decade.
“Montana continues to face workforce shortages across the education sector, with many occupations – including teachers and paraprofessionals – currently undersupplied statewide,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor and Industry. “By expanding Teacher Registered Apprenticeships and aligning this work to our 406 JOBS initiative, we are building a pipeline of highly qualified educators who are trained in Montana, for Montana.”
The following Montana school districts are participating in the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program:
· Anaconda School District
· Bridger Public Schools
· Canyon Creek School District
· Colstrip School District
· Creston School District
· Culbertson School District
· Deer Park School District
· Dutton/Brady School District
· Froid School District
· Harlowton Public Schools
· Havre Public Schools
· Helena School District
· Hobson Public Schools
· Hot Springs School District
· Independent School District 52
· Joliet School District
· Laurel Public Schools
· Lockwood School District
· Marion School
· Noxon Public Schools
· Polson School District
· Roy School District 74
· Somers Lakeside School District
· St. Ignatius Public Schools
· Sweet Grass County School District
· Vaughn School
Montana’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program is part of the state’s broader effort to expand Registered Apprenticeships and strengthen workforce pathways across key industries through the governor’s 406 JOBS initiative.
To read the latest sector report from the 406 JOBS initiative on the Education and Child Care sector, see here.
